The instant you become interested in the WorldRace, racers around the world become celebrities to you. You jump at the opportunity to hear their stories. When you arrive on the field other Racer stories become testimonies of your fellow brothers and sisters. Knowing the emotions and events they are similarly witnessing, their stories grip your heart even more deeply and the faces become close family members. So when I heard this particular story my heart tweaked and it hit deep.
P Squad, who launched in January, was in India for the month of April and within a week they experienced events that would forever alter their race.
Just as we were leaving Albania our squad got news that a P Squad’s van was involved in a horrible accident that injured 4 Racers. Three racers have since been released and are racing on; however one Racer’s spine, Vanessa’s, was severely injured from the impact of the crash. Doctors said she would never walk again!
The following event involves their travel plans. They were expected to travel into Nepal for their next month when the devastating earthquake hit. As racers, there is great anticipation for our upcoming countries. Now they were stumped. With the devastation in Nepal, they didn’t know where they would be going and experienced a slight halt.
This could be the end of the horrible events and news BUT I’m glad to say our God is involved in much bigger ways. I’ve been struck by the faith, hope and trust P Squad has demonstrated through these events. I’m confident God has written this story into beauty.
Vanessa, has wiggled her toes and has sat up by herself! She is keeping her spirits high. Through her faith and stamina she’s inspiring others around the world. As a body of believers and as many have said in blogs and prayers: “we believe she will walk again.” She is heading home today with her parents and will continue to heal as she returns home. As for P Squad they are now in Nepal serving in disaster and aid relief in anyway possible. They have demonstrated excitement and hope in the coming weeks to be able to assist during this time of recovery and healing for Nepal.
As the events were spoken amongst my squad and as blogs have been read, my heart has gone out to this squad. I’m currently sitting in Central America and throughout this year, I’ve learned the power of prayer and the expectancy we experience from God’s miraculous handiwork. I feel led to be part of this story and to share it widely because it’s already been beautiful and because God’s not done writing this story.
So this leads me to an invitation. On TUESDAY, MAY 12, as a squad we will be having a day of prayer covering and intercession. We would like to extend this invitation to everyone: family, friends and Racers.
As we join together we will direct our prayers toward the following:
-the healing of Nepalese and for Hope to be the unweighted emotion as the restoration begins.
-For aid to come in unbelievable measure.
– P Squad’s fervent faithfulness to turn to God for His peace and provision through all these events. And for energy to complete the work to be done.
– Vanessa to be overwhelmingly comforted and for her to walk again!
There are a variety of ways to do this and if you feel led to join in please do whichever means fits you. For some, it may mean fasting for the day, spending the time in prayer rather than eating. For others, it may mean praying every hour on the hour. For others, we might be led to grab a group of friends and split up the hours to schedule one person to be praying at all times on Tuesday. Or perhaps you’ll be led to gather a group together to pray out loud over these needs.
This truly is already a miraculous story, and I’ve been gripped by the diverse ways God has created beauty. I’m grateful we have the opportunity to corporately join together to witness God’s handiwork in this story.
As we join together across the globe as one body, we illustrate His portrait of Grace and Love.
Before the race I would have said “maybe God, if you could, please think about healing Vanessa and being part of this relief in Nepal.” However after being exposed to His absolute power, I confidently proclaim that our God will move these mountains! I am confident Vanessa will walk again! I am confident that she will Run the Race that is now set before her!
If you would like further details on the events of P Squad I encourage you to read their blogs. Thanks for listening to the ways God has pulled on my heart to be involved in this story of the family of P Squad.
